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Somehow I forgot to include this photo in yesterday’s cemetery post. It’s actually one of my favorites partly because of the evil eye which reminded me of my 2010 trip to Turkey. To this day I have one in my home, my office, and I try to have one clipped to my bag while traveling. I need all the help I can get!

I had the good fortune to travel to New Orleans recently for a work conference. Having never visited previously I flew in a little early and did my best to see some of its sights. Of course there just wasn’t enough time. And of course that means I will have to return. They were also having their “one week of winter,” so photos and light proved a bit challenging with the rain, wind and fog. But in the case of the cemetery, the fog definitely lent to the atmosphere. We chose to visit Saint Louis Cemetery Number One due to its proximity, history and supposed safeness. (According to Frommer’s, unguided cemetery visits are not recommended – for the record, we felt perfectly safe.)

I recommend a visit to New Orleans and thoroughly enjoyed its food, drinks, history, people, sights, talents, quirks, originality and spirit. I look forward to plotting my return!

Picture four friends (friends yes, old friends – no, close friends – closer now!) watching football the evening of December 23rd, pondering the plight of New Year’s Eve and its overpriced, overcrowded, overserved, undertaxied masses… It’s no wonder that by the 24th we had a beach house booked for the 30th and 31st. It turned out to be an absolutely stunning (if chilly) couple of days – and a fun and memorable New Year’s to boot. Cheers!

Hey, remember me? This blog? Yep, we’re still here. It’s been a whirlwind couple of months with a lot of hours at the day job and a freelance gig thrown in for good measure (travel funds, yeah!). Add in some fun and a holiday – now I find myself with almost two months of photos to sift through. Feels good to get back to it.

This weekend wandering took place at the end of October when I had the good fortune to spend a fantastic weekend at Brasada Ranch in Powell Butte, Oregon. In the course of the weekend we went horseback riding (my first time on a horse!) and attended an amazing brewer’s dinner with Lompoc Brewing and 10 Barrel Brewing. I can’t say enough about the food, the drinks, the service and the people. Everyone was so kind and helpful. I’d go back anytime!

Today my experiences traveling in Portugal are featured in a Q&A over on Emily Luxton’s travel blog. If memory serves me correctly Emily and I connected when she either “liked” or commented on a post of mine earlier this year. Of course, I took a gander at her blog and discovered she was counting down the days to her departure to Morocco – just like me! She went in March and her blog was a great resource of information before my own trip in May. Please take a moment to peruse her blog, the “Postcards From…” series, and everything else her site has to offer. Thanks Emily!

P.S. Traveled anywhere fun lately? Emily is always on the lookout for travelers to feature in her series. If so, give her a shout: eluxton (at) hotmail (dot) co (dot) uk